Editor's Note: This message is directed toward those who claim to be Arminians.  Spurgeon's point is the Arminian is usually woefully inconsistent and may actually believe the true Gospel contrary to their professed beliefs, which is why they don't pray anything like the prayer below.  Spurgeon was much more generous to the Arminian than other theologians, for which he still gathers a great deal of impatient criticism today from those who are very zealous to defend the truth.   However, he was very hard on Arminian theology and doctrine, even calling it heresy.  Whether Arminians are believers or not, that's a topic of discussion that in my opinion is fruitless... The point is, we should be kind and patient with all men.  After all, what do WE HAVE that wasn't given?  What light do we walk in that was not put there for us by our God above?  May God be glorified as He calls His people to knowledge of Him in the glorious Gospel of Grace, and not through any false doctrine such as the typical and sad and hopeless arminianism you find in most churches today.  - Brandan

    You have heard a great many Arminian sermons, I dare say; but you never heard an Arminian prayer — for the saints in prayer appear as one in word and mind. An Arminian on his knees, would pray desperately like a Calvinist. He cannot pray about free-will — there is no room for it. Imagine him praying:

"Lord, I thank you I am not like those poor presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a glorious free-will; I was born with power by which I can turn to you of myself. I have improved my grace. If everybody had done the same with their grace that I have — then they might all have been saved. Lord, I know You do not make us willing, if we are not willing ourselves. You give grace to everybody; some do not improve it, but I do. There are many who will go to Hell as much bought with the blood of Christ as I was; they had as much of the Holy Spirit given to them; they had as good a chance, and were as much blessed as I am. It was not Your grace that made us to differ; I know it did a great deal — still I turned the point! I made use of what was given to me, and others did not — that is the difference between me and them."

    That is a prayer for the devil — for nobody else would offer such a prayer as that!